The 2013 China (Changle) International Gem Exposition is set to be held from May 18 to 21 in Changle County, Shandong Province, according to local authorities.

The exposition, which will take place at the marketplace China Gem City, is an upgrade from its predecessor Changle Gem Festival which has been held for 11 sessions.

During this year's event, six themed activities will be carried out, including the gem fair, the "Jewelry Night" program, tourism promotion, Changle watermelon exhibitions and competitions and a Chinese painting and calligraphy exhibition.

Jointly organized by the Circulation Industry Promotion Center of the Ministry of Commerce, China Gems & Jewelry Trade Association, the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province, and the People's Government of Weifang City, the exposition will take up an area of 118,000 square meters, with 1,000 international standard and special booths set up in the main exhibition hall, displaying various kinds of gold, silver and jade jewelry.

The China Sapphire Museum, which will be inaugurated during the exposition, is also located in the gem city of China, covering an area of some 8,000 square meters. The museum possesses an extensive collection of sapphire products from around the world, and the use of sound, light, electricity and other modern high-tech means helps convey the glitter of the sapphires in an even more visual yet natural way.

The grand Sapphire Museum is considered an important window to present the history of the development of both China's and the world's sapphire culture.